Sen. Mike Porfirio

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that the Illinois Commerce Commission shall not consider as an expense of any public utility, for the purpose of determining any rate or charge, any amount expended for contributions or gifts to political candidates, political parties, political or legislative committees, or any committee or organization working to influence referendum petitions or elections or contributions to a trade association, chamber of commerce, or public charity, including, but not limited to, a charity managed by the public utility or affiliated interest. Provides that the Commission shall not consider as an expense of any public utility, for the purpose of determining any rate or charge, any amount expended by the public utility for director and officers liability insurance and fiduciary liability insurance. Provides that in determining whether other types of insurance purchased by the public utility are recoverable, the Commission shall determine whether the insurance is of financial benefit to ratepayers of the public utility or its shareholders. Provides that if the Commission determines the insurance purchased by the public utility is of benefit to its shareholders, then it shall not be a recoverable expense. Provides that, if a gas, electric, water, or sewer utility requests a general rate increase, the Commission shall hold at least one public hearing for the public to provide input on the proposed increase in rates. Provides that the public hearing shall be held in the service area of the public utility that is requesting the general rate increase at a time and location determined by the Commission. Makes changes in provisions definitions; donations made by a public utility for energy assistance; consideration of attorney and expert compensation as an expense; and the Consumer Intervenor Compensation Fund.

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that it is a mitigating factor in sentencing that the defendant is convicted of a felony and is a combat veteran who is a qualified service-disabled veteran who has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. Amends the Veterans and Servicemembers Court Treatment Act. Provides that if a combat veteran who is a resident of Illinois is a qualified service-disabled veteran and is believed to have committed an offense or is in need of assistance as a result of a suspected incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder, a peace officer or an ambulance service shall transport the veteran to a Department of Veterans Affairs' hospital to be evaluated by a physician, psychiatrist, or clinical psychologist, or other medical professional that the hospital deems qualified to determine whether the veteran is a danger to himself, herself, herself, or others. Provides that if it is determined by the hospital staff who evaluated the veteran that the veteran is not a danger to himself or others, the person shall be released unless that person is subject to law enforcement agency custody for commission of an offense that requires pretrial detention under the Pretrial Release Article of the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. If the veteran requires detention, the veteran shall be released to law enforcement agency custody. Provides that if a combat veteran who is a qualified service-disabled veteran is charged with a criminal offense, the case shall be tried by a veterans and servicemembers court located in the veteran's county of residence, or if the veteran's county of residence does not have a veterans and servicemembers court located in that county, the case shall be tried in a veterans and servicemembers court located in the nearest county of the veteran's residence.

Amends the Veterans and Servicemembers Court Treatment Act. Provides that if a veteran with a service-connected disability is arrested for or charged with a criminal offense and there is prima facie evidence that the veteran was suffering from an episode of post-traumatic stress disorder or a related mental health condition during the commission of the offense, there is a rebuttable presumption that the veteran is eligible to participate in a veterans and servicemembers court program, and after the arrest or charge, the following procedures shall take place: (1) the veteran shall be evaluated and treated as soon as practicable by a qualified medical professional for post-traumatic stress disorder and any other mental health condition or disorder; and (2) the court shall order a screening and clinical needs assessment and risk assessment and a mental health and substance use disorder screening and assessment. Provides that if a veteran with a service-connected disability is charged for the first time with a criminal offense, including a felony, except certain offenses that would make him or her ineligible to participate in a veterans and servicemembers court program, and suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder or a related mental health condition during the commission of the offense, then, upon successful completion of the terms and conditions of a court program, the court shall dismiss the original charges against the veteran or successfully terminate the veteran's sentence or otherwise discharge the veteran from any further proceedings against the participant in the original prosecution. Establishes certain procedures to be followed when a combat veteran who is a disabled veteran has an episode of post-traumatic syndrome disorder and needs assistance.

Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that the provision of the Post-Conviction Hearing Article of the Code that a prisoner shows cause by identifying an objective factor that impeded his or her ability to raise a specific claim during his or her initial post-conviction proceedings shall bar a claim under the proportionate penalties clause of the Illinois Constitution brought in a successive post-conviction petition by any person who was convicted of a felony offense committed when that person was under 18 years of age.

Amends the Military Code of Illinois. Makes a technical change in a Section establishing the Department of Military Affairs.

Amends the Military Code of Illinois. Requires the Governor to organize and maintain within this State, on a reserve basis, a volunteer civilian cybersecurity auxiliary force, known as the Illinois Cyber Auxiliary Force (ICAF), that is capable of being expanded and trained to educate and protect from cyber incidents State, county, and local government entities and critical infrastructure, including election systems, businesses, and the citizens of this State. Provides that in the case of an emergency proclaimed by the Governor, or caused by illicit actors or imminent danger, the Governor, as Commander-in-Chief, shall expand the ICAF as the exigency of the occasion requires. Provides that the ICAF shall be operated as an interagency effort between the Illinois Department of Military Affairs (IDMA), the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security (IEMA-OHS), and the Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT). Provides that IEMA-OHS shall have oversight of the entire program and act as the lead agency for the ICAF for mission and project development; DoIT shall evaluate threats and recommend missions to the Homeland Security Advisor; and IDMA shall focus on recruiting, manning, and mission assignments. Provides that the Adjutant General, in cooperation with the Homeland Security Advisor, shall request activation of ICAF for cyber incident response; and that IDMA shall stock and issue uniform articles as required. Contains provisions concerning training for ICAF members; funds appropriated by the General Assembly for the actual and necessary expenses incurred by the ICAF for administration, training, and deployment; and the adoption of rules by IEMA-OHS that are consistent with the provisions of law governing the membership, organization, administration, equipment, and maintenance of the ICAF. Provides that ICAF members may not be called or ordered into the military service. Provides that no person shall be accepted into the ICAF who is not a United States national or a lawful permanent resident. Contains provisions concerning background checks on applicants; the removal or resignation of ICAF members; and other matters.

Amends the Credit Services Organizations Act. Changes the name of the Act to the Credit Repair Organizations Act. Provides that the Director of Financial and Professional Regulation shall oversee the activities of credit repair organizations and compliance with the Act. Provides that a credit repair organization shall submit a report every 6 months to the Director containing specified information. Provides that the Director may adopt rules necessary to administer the Act. Makes changes in provisions concerning contracts between a buyer and a credit repair organization; registration of credit repair organizations; violations of the Act; and remedies. Repeals provisions concerning surety bonds. Defines terms. Repeals provisions concerning surety bonds. Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act to make conforming changes. Effective January 1, 2024.

Amends the Childhood Hunger Relief Act. Provides that for all schools operating a school breakfast program, the State Board of Education shall collect information about whether the school is operating a breakfast after the bell program and, if so, what breakfast after the bell model the school operates, including breakfast in the classroom, second chance breakfast, and grab and go breakfast. Provides that the State Board of Education shall make this data publicly available annually. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the State Board of Education shall award grants of up to $7,000 per school site on a competitive basis to eligible schools, school districts, or entities approved by the State Board of Education for nonrecurring expenses incurred in initiating a school breakfast after the bell program. Sets forth what the grants may be used for and who gets preference for a grant.

Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. Provides that in awarding contracts for Abandoned Mined Land Reclamation Projects with a total value of more than $100,000, preference shall be given to an otherwise qualified bidder who either (1) provides proof that at least 2 current employees of the bidder are former coal mine employees and that all such declared former coal mine employees in the bid shall be utilized in the fulfillment of an awarded Abandoned Mined Land Reclamation Project or (2) commits to employing at least 2 former coal mine employees hired out of a union hall in the fulfillment of the Abandoned Mined Land Reclamation Project (requiring the bidder to provide proof that at least 2 former coal mine employees have been hired out of a union hall within 60 days after the start of construction and to declare that the former coal mine employees, after being hired, shall be utilized in the fulfillment of an awarded Abandoned Mined Land Reclamation Project). Provides that when the Department of Natural Resources is to award a contract to the lowest responsible bidder, an otherwise qualified bidder who will fulfill the contract through the use of former coal mine employees may be given preference over other bidders unable to do so, if the bid is not more than 2% greater than the low bid.

Creates the Access to Affordable Insulin Act. Sets forth provisions concerning an insulin urgent-need program. Provides that the Department of Public Health shall establish procedures and applications for the insulin urgent-need program. Sets forth provisions concerning insulin urgent-need program exceptions, eligibility, forms, applications, claims and reimbursement, copayments, information sheets, and navigators. Defines terms. Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. In provisions concerning cost sharing in prescription insulin drugs, provides that an insurer that provides coverage for prescription insulin drugs under the terms of a health coverage plan the insurer offers shall limit the total amount that an insured is required to pay for a 30-day supply of covered prescription insulin drugs at an amount not to exceed $35 (rather than $100). Effective immediately.